Aid workers say food shortages are likely to follow soon, which could threaten the lives of millions of people.

Efforts are now under way to import one million tons of food grain, but that will carry an economic price that Bangladesh cannot easily afford.

Seasonal flooding: Lasting longer than usual

The government, which is sending relief supplies such as dry food to the victims, says the floods have destroyed nearly half a million tonnes of rice in the fields.

"Bangladesh will welcome any form of assistance from any
government, international agencies and development partners," Mr Azad told foreign diplomats and donor agencies in Dhaka.

The government is now drawing up a list of requirements in readiness for an international appeal.

The BBC correspondent in Dhaka, Francis Harrison, says that the country can cope with some seasonal flooding, but the longer the water remains on the ground the more hardship it will cause.

Disease main killer

Disease from lack of sanitation is the main killer

It is the duration of the current flood rather than the depth of the waters - which is not unusually great - that is causing the problems.

Much of Bangladesh is flat delta land easily susceptible to flooding.

With Bangladesh unable to control the sudden increase in river flow from rain and snow-melt in the Indian and Nepali Himalayas, all the country can do each year is predict the flow and prepare for the worst.